I grabbed my things as we departed from the place, and I made my way outside to where the bus was going to meet us. There was a group of people waiting, and I managed to end up in the back of the bus as everyone climbed. This was fine with me as there were four seats along the back, and the other chairs mostly hid them. This would allow me space to stretch out, as well as do some work on the laptop.

"Excuse me, but could I sit here?" asked a young voice as my laptop was coming to life. It was a young girl with a short skirt on who was asking to sit next to me. She was holding a worn paperback in her hand, and she was shifting from foot to foot. "I hate sitting up front and would really like to sit back here."

Her eyes twinkled and her lips curled in a smile as she slid her legs past mine and sat down next to me. We exchanged brief greetings and she soon settled in next to me.

"You can call me Draygon, " she said as she looked down, her hair falling about her face. "All my friends do."

"Well, you can call me Abear," I answered with a smile of my own. "All my friends do."....(cont)